I will be leaving for Paris Dec 2, and visiting Strasbourg on saturday for the Christmas markets. I have been to Paris before, but never to the Christmas markets...what can I expect in terms of what they sell....good prices? I am trying to plan my Christmas shopping and would like to know in advance what to look for. My son in law, for instance, would like a beer stein....are they readily available in Strasbourg or should I look elsewhere? Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Merci!

I've been to the Strasbourg Christmas market three or four times. It's huge and one of the best in France.

As for what you can expect, hot mulled wine, sweets, candy stalls, Christmas trees, Christmas ornaments, apple fritters, and all kinds of pretty cheap, schlocky stuff. It's not a place to go shopping for high-end items. Most of it is glitzy and made in China. Think country-fair-type stalls with cheap trinkets and games and whatnot.

I think you might want to go over the German border for a Stein, but maybe they have them at the market. They'll certainly have them in shops in Strasbourg if not at the Christmas market.

Strasbourg has lots of small Christmas markets instead of one big central market, so be prepared to walk all over the city centre to find them - there is a new one in every square. They are all different in style and atmosphere and the selection of merchants. The bigger ones have the "glitzy made in China" stuff but some of the smaller ones are more directed at artisans who sell their own products, there you'll find nicer and unique things.

Expect huge crowds on Saturday. Any other weekday would be better.

You can find stein's all over Strasbourg, no problems there.

Here are our pics from Strasbourg xmas 2008: http://picasaweb.google.com/jamie.a....sInStrasbourg#

I just posted a report of my trip to Strasbourg yesterday Here's a link to my blog : http://sujaa.wordpress.com/2010/11/2...ristmas-treat/

And yes, there are lots of trinkets but there are also some lovely handicrafts. Obviously these are more expensive and I noticed sadly that these stands didnt attract many clients..so perhaps they will one day be pushed out totally by the trinket selling lot.

Jamikins...your pictures are beautiful! I am excited to see the cathedral...it looks gorgeous! And to Suja...thanks for the blog....I am excited to see the market for the first time this coming saturday! We fly to Paris thursday night from Detroit nonstop...then the high speed train to Strasbourg for the day on saturday. I realize it is going to be busy, but due to work obligations, this is the only time I could make this work, and I have been wanting to go to this particular market for a number of years...so I am bringing my 75 year old mother to Paris for the first time (for her) and we will both enjoy the market together!

And thanks all, for the tips on the beer steins! My son in law will be pleased if I score one for his Christmas gift this year...I have already packed the bubble wrap!

Many thanks for sharing your tips!